By Al Hain-Cole

Both teams are in excellent league form going into this match, but Al Hain-Cole expects the division's meanest defence to have no trouble in keeping out its most barren attck

Q and Manchester City resume their respective relegation and title challenges on Tuesday, with five points separating each from their intended targets.

Roberto Mancini’s men have won their last six games in the pursuit of city rivals Manchester United, and are strong favourites at 1/2 (1.50) with Paddy Power to pick up their seventh consecutive victory this evening.

The Hoops have are also unbeaten in the league since the turn of the year, but are considerable underdogs at 6/1 (7.00) to pick up an invaluable three points at Loftus Road.

These two sides have not shared the spoils in their last four encounters, but are available at 3/1 (4.00) to play out a draw in this one.

Mancini's men seem to have turned over a new leaf since the new year, with their defence resolving not to give any goals away.

The visitors are yet to concede a single goal in 2013, and will be confident of continuing this record against the worst attack in the Premier League.

Harry Redknapp’s side have only managed a measly 18 goals all season, so odds of 11/10 (2.10) look too good to miss on the league’s measliest defence keeping a clean sheet in this game, even without Vincent Kompany.

David Silva has struggled to replicate his best form for the champions so far this season, but with Yaya Toure away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, the Spain international has become the undisputed fulcrum of the City attack.

The former Valencia man demonstrated his goalscoring touch with both goals in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the last league fixture, and is sure to pose a threat in this game, having scored at Loftus Road in this fixture lat season.

Silva offers excellent value at odds of 15/8 (2.88) to get on the scoresheet in this match at any time, especially considering his more advanced role in the absence of Toure.

Al Hain-Cole is a Liverpool fan, experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.